Should I lie to DS about his pet needing to be euthanized?

[Pifo]

Please be kind and understanding. This is a difficult situation.
My son is 16 and Autistic. He acts younger than his age.
A year ago he asked if he could get some pets, small rodents.
For 9 months he took care of them absolutely perfectly and then he became very unwell and we found out he had been planning suicide :(

We've been getting him help but he's not been himself and the care of the animals has taken a backfoot.

They are in his room.

One of them has developed a large tumour and the vet said surgery is risky/expensive. Just see how they go.

However DS came to me and said he can't cope with them right now. It's just too much and can I find them a new home.
I can't take them out of his room as we have 2 cats that are always trying to get in his room. It wouldn't be safe.

Obviously nobody is going to want a £10 animal with a £600 operation (that has a poor prognosis and vet advised to just give a good few minths then PTS) hanging over it.
I've found an amazing woman who would like to have the other 2, I've been to her house. Seen her cage set up, its amazing. Met her children.

But DS asked me today if they're all going together and at that point I panicked and said yes.

She is going to have to be euthanized.

Do I...
A- Tell DS that she needs to be PTS and see if he wants to be involved.
B- Tell him all 3 are going to a new home and take her to be PTS the same day the other leave and he never knows.

Please take into consideration he is autistic and severely depressed.

If it was my other child (who is actually younger!) I would be honest but I don't know if that's the best choice now.

Most tumours in rats are benign and they carry on living normally. Just rehouse them all together. If it’s cancer the rat will die quickly ime.

Assuming he won't be visiting them or asking to see them in their new home I'd go for option B

I would personally just say they've all gone to a new home - no harm, no foul.

I know it's only a small animal but be with her when they put her to sleep.

I think B. Sometimes we, as Mums, have to tell untruths to protect our children. It's sounds like he has plenty to deal with. You would be showing kindness to him and to the poorly pet. I feel for you, I really do.

B

Definitely, no doubt about it.

Given the circumstances and his mental health, A is so unnecessary and could be quite harmful

I'd also go for B. I don't think that you should let it suffer and your ds doesn't need to know me

It's too big, it's impacting her mobility now and everyone that's been interested in taking them had backed out when I mentioned her :(

All rehomed together (to somewhere he can’t visit)

The kindest for your son would be option B

(if it comes up in conversation with him at a later date, the poorly pet passed away from his illness a little while later…)

That wouldn't be fair on the person re-homing them.

I would do B for sure, I can’t see how telling him would help anyone.

You know your DS best. It doesn't sound like he could cope with his rodent being PTS. It might even give him more suicide thoughts eg. being with rodent. In your position I'd lie to DS and say they are going to a new home where they will be happy.

Option B.

Option B definitely

Option B

It's difficult because our sen kids appreciate honesty and directness

But in this situation, you're far better off with option b - he is fragile and needs protecting. Its kinder this way. And I think that you sound kind xx

B - it's a kindness for everyone.

Option B. Like you said, he will never know. It is a white lie you are telling to maintain his wellbeing. No malice involved.

Option B. Your DS has made a very grown up decision with asking for them to be rehomed and I think this is enough for him to cope with right now.